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Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype

Compendium of Known Effects and Ongoing Research

kynurenine

Latent toxoplasmosis and psychiatric symptoms – A role of tryptophan metabolism?

January 31, 2020
Latent toxoplasmosis and psychiatric symptoms - A role of tryptophan metabolism?
Journal of Psychiatric Research 2019, 110: 45 - 50
Click for abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (TOX) is a common parasite which infects approximately one third of the human population. In recent years, it has been suggested that latent toxoplasmosis may be a risk factor for the development of mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia and anxiety. With regards to depression the results have been varied. The main objective of this study was to examine subpopulations from the Danish PRISME and GENDEP populations for TOX IgG antibodies. These consisted of: a group with symptoms of anxiety, a group suffering from burnout syndrome, as well as two different subpopulations with depression of differing severity. The secondary objective of this study was to examine whether tryptophan metabolism was altered in TOX-positive subjects within each subpopulation. Our results show that the anxiety and burnout populations were more likely to be TOX IgG seropositive. Furthermore, we find that the moderate-severe but not mild-moderate depressive subpopulation were associated with TOX seropositivety, suggesting a possible role of symptom severity. Additionally, we found that TOX positive subjects in the anxiety and burnout subpopulations had altered tryptophan metabolism. This relationship did not exist in the mild-moderate depressive subpopulation. These results suggest that TOX seropositivity may be related to anxiety, burnout and potentially to severity of depression. We furthermore show that the psychiatric symptoms could be associated with an altered tryptophan metabolism.

Tagged: 3 ioxygenasepattern, antidepressant, anxiety, burnoutdepression, common mental- disorders, depression reistant, gondii infection, indoleamine 2, kynurenine, pathway, Toxoplsma gondii, tryptophan

Mental health

Combined Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and high blood kynurenine – Linked with nonfatal suicidal self-directed violence in patients with schizophrenia

October 3, 2016
Okusaga, O., Duncan, E., Langenberg, P., Brundin, L., Fuchs, D., Groer, M. W., Giegling, I., Stearns-Yoder, K. A., Hartmann, A. M., Konte, B., Friedl, M., Brenner, L. A., Lowry, C. A., Rujescu, D., Postolache, T. T.
Journal of Psychiatric Research 2016; 72: 74-81
Click for abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) chronic infection and elevated kynurenine (KYN) levels have been individually associated with non-fatal suicidal self-directed violence (NF-SSDV). We aimed to test the hypothesis that the association between T gondii seropositivity and history of NF-SSDV would be stronger in schizophrenia patients with high plasma KYN levels than in those with lower KYN levels. We measured anti-T gondii IgG antibodies and plasma KYN in 950 patients with schizophrenia, and used logistic regression to evaluate the relationship between NF-SSDV and KYN in patients who were either seropositive or seronegative for T. gondii. For those with KYN levels in the upper 25th percentile, the unadjusted odds ratio for the association between NF-SSDV history and KYN in T gondii seropositive patients was 1.63 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.66), p = 0.048; the adjusted odds ratio was 1.95 (95% CI 1.15 to 3.30), p = 0.014. Plasma KYN was not associated with a history of NF-SSDV in T gondii seronegative patients. The results suggest that T. gondii and KYN may have a nonlinear cumulative effect on the risk of NF-SSDV among those with schizophrenia. If confirmed by future longitudinal studies, this result is expected to have both theoretical and clinical implications for the prevention and treatment of suicidal behavior

Tagged: 3-dioxygenase, antibody-titers, aryl-hydrocarbon, gamma-interferon, human-fibroblasts, in-vivo, indoleamine 2, kynurenine, lifetime risk, major depressive disorder, nitric-oxide synthase, non-fatal suicidal self-directed violence, receptor, Schizophrenia, t-cell proliferation, Toxoplasma gondii

BehaviorMental health

Toxoplasma gondii and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia: An animal model perspective

October 12, 2012
Kannan, G., Pletnikov, M.V.
Schizophrenia Bulletin 2012; 38: 1155-1161
Click for abstract
Cognitive deficits are a core feature of schizophrenia. Epidemiological evidence indicates that microbial pathogens may contribute to cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia. Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has been associated with cognitive deficits in humans. However, the mechanisms whereby the parasite impacts cognition remain poorly understood. Animal models of T. gondii infection may aid in elucidating the underpinnings of cognitive dysfunction. Here, we (1) overview the literature on the association of T. gondii infection and cognitive impairment, (2) critically analyze current rodent models of cognitive deficits resulting from T. gondii infection, and (3) explore possible mechanisms whereby the parasite may affect cognitive function.

Tagged: congenital toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus-infection, gene-environment interactions, herpes-simplex, immune system, infection, kynurenic acid, kynurenine, laboratory rats, latent toxoplasmosis, learning and memory, mice behavior, novelty discrimination, tissue cysts, Toxoplasma

Cognitive functionsMental health

Toxoplasma gondii and schizophrenia: Linkage through astrocyte-derived kynurenic acid?

October 26, 2007
Schwarcz R, Hunter CA
Schizophrenia Bulletin 2007; 33: 652-653.
Tagged: infection, kynurenine, Parasite, pathway

Mental health

Topics

  • Behavior 105
  • Cognitive functions 64
  • Mental health 439
  • Morphology 6
  • Motor functions 10
  • Personality 36
  • Physical health 134
  • Reproduction 36
  • Reviews 40
  • Sensory functions 3
  • Uncategorized 2

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Recent articles

  • Mortality Patterns of Toxoplasmosis and Its Comorbidities in Tanzania: A 10-Year Retrospective Hospital-Based Survey February 6, 2020
  • The role of latent toxoplasmosis in the aetiopathogenesis of schizophrenia–the risk factor or an indication of a contact with cat? February 6, 2020
  • The Association between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis February 6, 2020

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